Another victory for the monk parakeets

Posted on the 27th January 2012

Campaigners on the Isle of Dogs have persuaded Tower Hamlets Council to stop the cull of wild monk parakeets. The Council has now formally requested that Defra stop its cull, a step that the government agency has described as 'disappointing'.

This is the second victory for monk parakeets. In November, Hertsmere Borough Council in Hertfordshire – after receiving submissions from both local campaigners and Defra – decided in favour of the birds, and all culling on council land was stopped.

Monk parakeets were brought to the UK for the ‘pet’ trade and continue to be sold. It is inevitable that some will escape or be released into the wild and they should not be targeted for surviving. Animal Aid believes that if Defra truly wishes to stop non-native species from living wild in the UK, it should take action to stop these animals and birds being traded for the pet and zoo industries, and for private collections.

This is a wonderful victory for the birds. Congratulations from Animal Aid to all involved!